For: I’m going to say this off the bat, I love The Lord of the Rings. It is one of my favorite movie franchises and the world J.R.R. Tolkien has created is a fascinating place. The one problem with these movies and books are that they end. There is so much more story to tell in this universe, and that is why I was so excited for this game.

Well, it lived up to its name and Shadow of Mordor turned out to be one of my favorite games in quite some time. Not only is the lore and story there, but the gameplay is just so addicting. It takes the best from Assassin’s Creed and Batman’s Arkham Series, and throws in a new Nemesis System which puts meaning behind the Orcs you fight, in the sense that they are not just sword fodder for you to tear through.

I just love games that give you the freedom to explore an open world and feel as though you are a part of it and making a tangible difference.

Also, chopping off heads rarely gets old.

Against: The game can get a little repetitive at times and a lot of the side quests are pretty average. There is a lot to do, but some of it feels thrown in as if to try and make the game last a little longer.

Also, while I enjoyed the story, it wasn’t the most captivating tale every told.

Final Thoughts: One of the best games this generation, hands down. For a new IP set in a known world, the team at Monolith and WB knocked it out of the park. This is another game that I love so much I’m going to Platinum it and come back to it for many years to come. It’s just that fun.

Ultimate NES Remix - Nintendo - Played On: Nintendo 3DS

For: Nostalgia is a wonderful thing. Looking back at those that came before can be quite awesome and bring back incredible memories. However, a big problem with nostalgia is that sometimes what you see in your mind’s eye is much better than reality. This reason alone is why Ultimate NES Remix is on this list. It takes your favorite games from yore, puts them into bite size challenges and mashes them all together in one truly fantastic package.

It’s such a pleasure to be able to jump from Super Mario Bros. to The Legend of Zelda to Donkey Kong, all within seconds. They make you play the games differently and give you a bite sized look into the history, mostly without having to struggle with negative aspects of said games. Granted, some of these titles are masterpieces and still hold up well today, but for those that don’t, this is truly one of the best ways to experience them.

Another incredible part about this? The future for this series is super exciting. I can’t wait for Nintendo to tackle its other consoles and handhelds!

Against: Some of the challenges can be tedious and repetitive. You also have to play a long time to unlock all the games. Besides that, there is very little negative to say about this game.

Final Thoughts: This is a prime example of why Nintendo is a master at its craft. They take these crazy ideas and turn them into something fantastic. This is a love letter to the child in all of us and deserves a spot on this list.

For: Nintendo has a very special place in my heart. Super Mario World for SNES is my first gaming memory and for my entire life they have offered up a sense of happiness and joy that’s hard to come by. This is why Super Smash Bros. vibes so well with me. It is the ultimate fan service and gives gamers of all ages the ability to battle their favorite characters as they see fit.

From unlocking characters and stages to hunting down trophies to replaying classic masterpieces, this game has it all and then some. There is so much love put into every pixel of this title and it just shows through and through.

It’s also worth commending the developers on the success of the 3DS version and making it feel near identical to its big brother on the Wii U. There is something magical about being able to take Smash with you no matter where you go.

Against: While this all sounds well and good for someone, like me, who loves Nintendo, some might say this game is just too similar to the past titles. Sure, there are new characters and stages and such, but the formula has stayed pretty much intact.

Also, I’m pretty upset there is no story mode or anything of the sort. I know it wasn’t the greatest in the past, especially gameplay-wise, but seeing my favorite characters interact in beautiful cut-scenes was one of my favorite parts of Smash Bros.

Final Thoughts: I absolutely adore this game and would recommend it to those young and old. There are very few games that honor the past in such a remarkable way, and make it simply fun to play, no matter how hardcore of a gamer you are.

Titanfall - Respawn Entertainment - Played On: Xbox One

For: Titanfall is a game about freedom, plain and simple. The abilities it offers you to traverse the maps are fun and makes this genre feel fresh for the first time in a long time. Being able to use a double jump with your jetpack to go wall running and then jump straight into your newly-summoned Titan never gets old.

There are great challenges and everything plays so very smoothly. It has kind of ruined me for Call of Duty and other similar games because I just love the fast paced, parkour-esque, movement and style.

Being able to switch between Titan and Pilot, and having each feel powerful is an accomplishment I’m glad they achieved. I can’t wait to see where this franchise will go, because I believe it will be one of the best.

Against: The story mode is atrocious and more or less non-existent. They touted a great single player portion, and I can’t even tell you one thing that happened. I really wish they spent some more time on that portion of the game, because I believe they could have had some incredible moments and set pieces that would have been quite memorable.

Final Thoughts: Another great new IP that has a bright future. I had hours upon hours of titan crunching fun. It’s one of those games that ruins your for other games. The freedom of movement and variety of gameplay options make up for the lackluster story.

The Walking Dead: Season 2 - Telltale Games - Played On: PlayStation 3

For: Wow…Did they just…oh. my. god.

That’s how I felt for most of my time spent in this bleak world crafted by Telltale Games and Robert Kirkman. In the followup to a stellar season 1, Clementine is back and has a whole new mess of problems to deal with.

This game holds no punches, and I mean that in every sense of the word. There were times where my mouth was wide open with shock and horror at what was being portrayed on-screen. However, what makes this game special is that they have also found a way to make quiet moments stand out. Even though they are small glimpses of happiness that inevitably get torn away, they make you connect and appreciate the world so much more.

My favorite games are those with a great story and characters, as well as the ability to make decisions that effect the world, and this game checks all those boxes and more.

Against: Telltale’s games are still plagued by plenty of bugs. They aren’t game breaking, but they abruptly take you out of an otherwise tense or touching moment and remind you, “HEY! You are playing a game!”

Also, some of the QTE events in the game are finicky and feel as though it’s not you failing the challenge but the game being unfair, and that’s never good.

Final Thoughts: Above all else, Telltale proves that they aren’t a one-trick pony and have figured out the winning formula to captivate you and simultaneously rip your heart from your chest. This game is brutal, but in the best kind of way. I’ve come to know and care about these characters and what matters to them is important and I want to be a part of their lives as long as I can.

So, there you have it. My choices for the Top Ten games from 2014.

It’s going to be tough to try and put a number to these choices, but I’m excited for the challenge. The full top ten list, from #10 all the way down to #1, will be revealed next week!

What do you think the order will end up being? Is there any game you would replace with one of mine?

What does your list look like? Let me know!

Most importantly, I want to wish you and all your family a Happy Holiday and to remind you spend this time with the ones your love. Cherish these moments and take it all in.

And, as always, make sure to make a little (or a lot of) room for gaming.

It's time for us to look back and appreciate everything we have in our lives. While we are all stuffing our face with way too much turkey and mashed potatoes, we must remember all the great things that led us to this thankful day. Something I know all of us IGN fans are thankful for are video games. We live, breathe, and crave this media like none other and it's time we give back and thank the medium that gives us all so much throughout the year.

I will be posting what I am thankful for, then it's up to you to join in and share your thoughts!

PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Whichever side you may fall on in this next-generation battle, one thing is very clear; we are extremely lucky to be gamers at this time. We have the privilege of experiencing the cutting edge of technology and the future of video games. Sure, the games may not all be masterpieces, but having these new consoles is the start of something very exciting.

Do you remember when PlayStation 3 launched and Resistance: Fall of Man was released? Compare that to The Last of Us and you'll have an idea of the progression and evolution of gaming systems. The true power of these systems hasn't even begun to be tapped yet, and we are all in for a very exciting ride.

I'm very thankful to have the opportunity to experience the future and witness this next step in video games.

PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360

Sure, the "next-generation" has begun. You know what though, I am very thankful that these incredible systems are very much alive and kicking. Sony and Microsoft will both be supporting these for the foreseeable future, and that is an incredible boon for all of us. From Dark Souls II and Season 2 of The Walking Dead, to DLC for The Last of Us and BioShock Infinite, we all have plenty to look forward to.

This is also very beneficial to those of us who don't have the disposable income to upgrade to PS4 or Xbox One. With Black Friday around the corner and the new systems in the wild, deals for both of these consoles and their vast library of games should be pretty easy to find.

Personally, I am looking forward to completing my backlog of titles that are just waiting to be played. There is so much there to offer, and if you can't jump to next-gen, you are still in good hands.

Nintendo

While impressive in their own right, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are fundamentally similar. They are fighting for the same demographic and pulling out all the stops.

Then, there is Nintendo.

People love to give Nintendo a tough time, and sometimes it may be warranted. Either way, Nintendo pushes the industry forward. They take risks the others dare not dream of, and for that, I am thankful.

Wii U may not be the blockbuster Nintendo had been hoping for, but this holiday season is hopefully the start of a change in that tide. Super Mario 3D World is ABSOLUTELY amazing. It is of such high quality and those whose hearts it does not capture may not have a soul. It is full of charm and provides what only Nintendo can provide.

On the other hand, the 3DS is continuously pushing forward and breaking new ground left and right. That system is a game-changer and has so many masterful titles that it can be too hard to keep track of. Especially with The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, we are reminded that when Nintendo gets it right, they get it right more than anyone else out there.

The Future

I am thankful and extremely excited for what the future has in store for us. Titanfall. Infamous: Second Son. Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U. We are all in for a treat and will get to reap the benefits of the hard work and long hours countless studios put into their titles each and every day.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. We are living in one of the best times to be a gamer. We have so many options and choices and can find enjoyment out of an infinite amount of possibilities.

Be excited, everyone.

The future is upon is.

What are you thankful for, gaming or otherwise? What has given you endless joy and laughter, or has stuck with you and changed your life for the better?!

There is a lot out there, and it's all there for us to take in and enjoy.

Whether you are a console gamer, PC gamer, or even a Candy Crush gamer, may this day and time of the year bring you everything you've hoped for. Take the time to appreciate how fortunate we truly are. Play your games, eat your turkey, and raise your glass to this wonderful life we are all living in.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving, and if you celebrate it, Hanukkah as well.

Three simple words that represent billions of dollars and hours spent by an incredible amount of people around the world. Each year we are treated to the next iteration of this untouchable franchise, and each year we keep coming back for more. Yet, when does it end? How long can this money-magnet keep rolling along? Only time will tell, but after today's multiplayer reveal, Call of Duty: Ghosts has failed to reignite my excitement for the return of the juggernaut of military shooters.

I want to be excited for this entry, and while the single-player mode and next-gen debut pique my interest, the multiplayer just doesn't move the meter for me. How many times can we prestige and call in UAVs before it's time to move on? I need innovation and compelling reasons to invest countless hours of my life once again. With the kind of money Call of Duty racks in, however, it's hard to see why they would want to take any great risk and jeopardize their position in this market.

It just feels as if we are in the same situation we were in when Call of Duty was stuck in the World War II-era. After a while, even the greatest of ideas get old and it becomes time to move on to new experiences. It was incredible when Call of Duty revolutionized mutiplayer, but that was years ago. When you look at a game such as Titanfall, you see an evolution of what Call of Duty currently is. It has the core combat locked down, and then it throws in fluid mech-combat and wall-running.

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It just feels as if we are in the same situation we were in when Call of Duty was stuck in the World War II-era.

These help keep the gameplay fresh and allow for more variety. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some great new features being added to Ghosts, but is it enough to bring back those who are burned out on the franchise? Will clan battles and the new "cranked" mode really capture the imagination of those who have written off these games? Having an app to change your loadouts and chat with your clan is great and all, but we need more.

Another reason I may be feeling this way is how the event itself was handled. Activision came out with very little humility and talked about features and mechanics that have been around for years that they claim are game-changing. They spent an hour talking and showing us footage, that in all honesty, felt very familiar. I was waiting for some revolutionary and innovative feature or mode, but was left disappointed.

I was waiting to be blown away and given reason to want to jump back into the action this November, but it just didn't happen. I don't know if I'm just a jaded gamer or it really is too familiar. One thing is for sure, with the next-generation of consoles around the corner and a multitude of games vying for my attention, if a title doesn't pull out all the stops, it may get left behind. That's not to say Activision will care if they lose me as a customer, because for every gamer like me they lose, they gain hundreds more.

Even still, it's important to remember that even the greatest eventually fall. However, if you stay ahead of the game and give us what we didn't even know we wanted, then that fall may turn into a distant warning instead of an imminent threat.

Call of Duty: Ghosts will undoubtedly be successful and continue to fill Activision's vaults with tons of gold. It will be a very enjoyable game and will have some great moments. I just can't believe this will last forever. It's time for change and progress. It's time to truly jump into the next generation.

All of that aside, bravo on adding female soldiers.

Well done, Activision.

How did you feel about the multiplayer reveal? Are you excited to jump back in this November? Are you more excited for the single-player and hanging out with Riley the dog? Let me know below and have you voice heard!! Be a part of a conversation that will be very interesting to follow in the coming months!!!